Questions about upgrading and results.

[freemason]

Hey all, I am thinking about upgrading my computer. I currently have a gateway DX4300-22 desktop. It has an AMD phenom II x4 810 2.6ghz processor(i cant overclock it due to my gateway motherboard) and a ATI HD 5450 graphics card. I am planning to buy an AMD radeon 6950 2gb graphics card. I realize I need to upgrade my PSU to a one around 550-600.

Now, I realize that my processor will bottleneck my computer. However, I have only enough money for a PSU and graphics card update. I want to play the latest games (battlefield 3 multiplayer, GTA 4, Skyrim, Arkham city), at a resolution of 1600x900. I am worried that battlefield 3 multiplayer wont run well because of my cpu. Will it run 64 players on medium settings at 1600x900 at 40+ fps?

My other option is getting a PS3. I have never done a PC upgrade. Therefore I am stressed out that I will invest in all these expensive parts and in the end it won’t work in my PC due to size. So what do you guys think I should do?

Thanks.

 

[bigdogchris]

At 1600x900, I would try it before you assume that the CPU is going to be some huge bottleneck. It's still a quad core.

Also the 6000 series AMD are pretty decent when it comes to power consumption. What type of PSU is in that? You only need a 400 watt PSU or so. AMD may say 550 but that's worst case scenario, considering people have a ton of fans, HDD's, lights, coolers, etc. There is nothing wrong with trying it first, then buy the PSU later if it's still not good enough.

 

[TwistedAegis]

At that resolution I think you've got a very good chance to meet your goal. I was running a Q6600 (admittedly overclocked to 3.2) and a 6970, but I was running it at 2560x1600 and I was able to make it playable. You're running ~65% less pixels there so you really should be OK.

 

[dremic]

Hey all, I am thinking about upgrading my computer. I currently have a gateway DX4300-22 desktop. It has an AMD phenom II x4 810 2.6ghz processor(i cant overclock it due to my gateway motherboard) and a ATI HD 5450 graphics card. I am planning to buy an AMD radeon 6950 2gb graphics card. I realize I need to upgrade my PSU to a one around 550-600.

Now, I realize that my processor will bottleneck my computer. However, I have only enough money for a PSU and graphics card update. I want to play the latest games (battlefield 3 multiplayer, GTA 4, Skyrim, Arkham city), at a resolution of 1600x900. I am worried that battlefield 3 multiplayer wont run well because of my cpu. Will it run 64 players on medium settings at 1600x900 at 40+ fps?

My other option is getting a PS3. I have never done a PC upgrade. Therefore I am stressed out that I will invest in all these expensive parts and in the end it won’t work in my PC due to size. So what do you guys think I should do?

Thanks.

I'll prolly get crucified for saying this on a computer enthusiasts forum hahah but sometimes on a budget, a console is a much better deal.. especially a ps3.

1600x900 is a pretty low resolution though and wouldnt require much graphical prowess in order to play some of the latest games with a solid framerate. however the lower the resolution the more strain on your cpu.


id prolly spend some money on a deneb or a cheap processor upgrade to get you that minimum fps you want before touching a gpu ( although the 810 has an L3 and is a quad core that works in your favor )

 

[freemason]

I have a 300 watt PSU currently, so its a no go. I went to the newegg calculator and it said that i needed a 590 watt PSU.

 

[freemason]

@dremic The GPU is horrendously weak. If i wanted to upgrade my CPU to another AMD chip i'd need a different motherboard because this one only allows a 95 watt cpu installed.

 

[TwistedAegis]

I'll prolly get crucified for saying this on a computer enthusiasts forum hahah but sometimes on a budget a console is a much better deal.. especially a ps3.

I'm nailing together the posts right now, dremic.

BF3 on the PC gives you way too many perks - larger maps, player counts...and it's an FPS goddamnit, something that should never be played on a console.

 

[dremic]

I'm nailing together the posts right now, dremic.

BF3 on the PC gives you way too many perks - larger maps, player counts...and it's an FPS goddamnit, something that should never be played on a console.

it looks way better this is true not to mention no framerate cap at 30..

you can get a ps3 used at like 150 though. just saying

 

[piscian18]

If you have the option I'd avoid a console for something like BF3.

If I were in your shoes I'd back off the GPU and get a 6870, 560. Something like that. It should be fine for your resolution

Additionally I'd find a used Phenom 955 or something similar on here used for cheap and sell your 810.

 

[dremic]

If you have the option I'd avoid a console for something like BF3.

If I were in your shoes I'd back off the GPU and get a 6870, 560. Something like that. It should be fine for your resolution

Additionally I'd find a used Phenom 955 or something similar on here used for cheap and sell your 810.

this is a good option too.. especially the 560... you'd prolly even be able to play on high at that resolution with a 560.

he still needs a PSU though.


what is your budget maybe we can get together some part suggestions for you

 

[freemason]

If you have the option I'd avoid a console for something like BF3.

If I were in your shoes I'd back off the GPU and get a 6870, 560. Something like that. It should be fine for your resolution

Additionally I'd find a used Phenom 955 or something similar on here used for cheap and sell your 810.

Hmm, i plan to upgrade my motherboard, ram and CPU in the next 8 months. So i want a good card when i upgrade.

 

[freemason]

this is a good option too.. especially the 560... you'd prolly even be able to play on high at that resolution with a 560.

he still needs a PSU though.


what is your budget maybe we can get together some part suggestions for you

my budget is $350 dollars.

 

[dremic]

my budget is $350 dollars.

see its best to wait to upgrade the ram cpu and motherboard till you have enough to get something worthwhile imo... like an intel i7 2600k.. still hella good and will still be hella good for along while...even when the new architecture comes out you'll still be a champ.


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127662 274$ AR


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341017 74 - 10 coupon 64$

total 338$ AR

358$ BR


MSI makes great non-reference cards and 600w psu is more then enough.

this will make it so when you do get around to upgrading that cpu and motherboard and ram you will be kicking ass.

 

[freemason]

see its best to wait to upgrade the ram cpu and motherboard till you have enough to get something worthwhile imo... like an intel i7 2600k.. still hella good and will still be hella good for along while...even when the new architecture comes out you'll still be a champ.


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127662 274$ AR


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341017 74 - 10 coupon 64$

total 338$ AR

358$ BR


MSI makes great non-reference cards and 600w psu is more then enough.

this will make it so when you do get around to upgrading that cpu and motherboard and ram you will be kicking ass.

I am going to my local tiger direct store. Ill see what they have. So my choices so far are the ati 6950, 6870 or the 7850.

 

[dremic]

I am going to my local tiger direct store. Ill see what they have. So my choices so far are the ati 6950, 6870 or the 7850.

tiger direct should have the same price for the 7870.. which is significantly better than the 7850

 

[freemason]

Guys, my tiger direct store has only radeon 6870s in stock. Should i buy that instead? Remember, i want to play battlefield 3 multiplayer and i have a phenom ii x4 810 2.6ghz processor!

 

[dremic]

Guys, my tiger direct store has only radeon 6870s in stock. Should i buy that instead? Remember, i want to play battlefield 3 multiplayer and i have a phenom ii x4 810 2.6ghz processor!

you're crippling yourself with a 6870.

just buy the 7870. sucks that store doesnt have it but its better to wait a few days for the right part instead of buying the wrong part.

 

[bpizzle1]

If I were you, I'd go check out the FS/FT section of the forums and look for a used 560ti or even 6950. People that sell here generally take care of their stuff and sell for decent prices. I've bought and sold a few video cards on [H] and never had a single issue with them. Personally, I think a good sweet spot for you would be to look for a unlocked 6950 1gb.

 

[dremic]

If I were you, I'd go check out the FS/FT section of the forums and look for a used 560ti or even 6950. People that sell here generally take care of their stuff and sell for decent prices. I've bought and sold a few video cards on [H] and never had a single issue with them. Personally, I think a good sweet spot for you would be to look for a unlocked 6950 1gb.

same, I bought a 570 from somebody here and it was in great condition.. still had the original box and packaging.

 

[cageymaru]

Does the local TigerDirect store allow you to special order parts that are sold on their website for pick up in store? Call them and ask because they sell many more parts than just the one card your local store has available.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/

I'm going to assume that there is a good reason you need to shop local. Is there a microcenter near you?
http://www.microcenter.com/

 

[freemason]

Does the local TigerDirect store allow you to special order parts that are sold on their website for pick up in store? Call them and ask because they sell many more parts than just the one card your local store has available.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/

I'm going to assume that there is a good reason you need to shop local. Is there a microcenter near you?
http://www.microcenter.com/

I live in canada and i believe that there are no microcenters. I just found out that there is a NCIX store nearby! They have a XFX radeon 6950 in stock for 254.99 and a XFX 7850 2gb for $269. I'll probably head over tommorow.